Eye Health Department: Procedures & Services

The Palo Alto Medical Foundation's (PAMF) Eye Health Department is made up of two medical specialties: ophthalmology and optometry. For an overview of the general services provided, follow the links below. For more information on the different procedures performed by the department's medical team, follow the links on the left.

Optometry Services

The Palo Alto Medical Foundation optometry services provide comprehensive eye care for our patients. Optometrists are independent primary health care providers who conduct examinations to determine the overall health of the eyes. Optometrists screen for diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, hypertensive retinopathy and diabetic retinopathy. They also prescribe corrective lenses when needed, such as glasses and contact lenses.

Therapeutically certified optometrists prescribe medications to treat many eye diseases, such as red eye and conjunctivitis. The California Board of Optometry licenses and regulates these eye care professionals.
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Ophthalmology Services

In addition to general ophthalmology, including cataract evaluation and surgery, subspecialty services are available in cornea and external disease, glaucoma, pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastic surgery and vitreo-retinal disease and surgery.
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